Quicker theft checks for some Idaho pawn shops

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - Pawn shops in the north-central Idaho town of Lewiston are switching to an electronic system that allows employees to quickly check police databases for stolen goods.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that previously most pawn shops used paper receipts, giving them to law enforcement every couple of days. Now most shops have switched to a database, which allows police to track merchandise immediately and follow it as it changes hands throughout the region.

First Interstate Pawn assistant manager John Hart says his shop takes in about 100 items a week, and usually two or three of them turn out to be stolen. Now when police notify him of a suspected item, he can put it on hold and keep it from being sold until an officer gives the OK.